Irresponsible mini owners

[Earthology]

A few years ago I went to a local animal auction (no longer open). I once bought a beautiful pup there, shot records and all. I almost "won" this dog for $70 bucks. Then, a person jumped in and bid me up to $150. Afterwords I founf out that the person bidding me up was THE DOGS OWNER! This owner turned out to be a FRIEND of the auctioner, and therefore the auctioneer KNEW what was going on since he was the one on the auctioneer stand. I complained and was told that "All owners have a right to protect their animals" and I replied "that's why your friend and your business should have people set reserves because what you all just did was WRONG."

Anyways, another farmer was the person who told me after I bought the dog, that the owner was actually ran a puppy mill... I am not sure about this, the pup was VERY well taken care of... But deep down I feel like it is true.

Going on, I posted an add on Craigslist to sell my Serama and Silky chickens. Today I got a call from a very abrupt man. I told him I had chores to do before he could come over to see the birds. He asked for a specific time, which I was unable to give him because I still hadn't heard from the farmer I was buying timothy hay from.

Because of this, I told him that I would give him a call AFTER I got home and AFTER I stored all the hay away. As I was about to pick the hay up, the man called me on the phone and.... said he was at... MY HOUSE! He just showed up... Without me saying come over... WHO DOES THAT?

Now I was freaking out because I knew I had accidently left my house unlocked. I RACED home, neglecting other chores... to meet:

THE MAN FROM THE AUCTION THAT BID ME UP ON HIS DOG!

He saw Pixie, my mini... and stated that he has THREE minis himself. He asked if I wanted to buy one of his two mares as he would LOVE to sell them. I said that no, I am still learning the ropes with Pixie. SO! He then asked me to sell Pixie to him, AFTER he said he wanted to sell two of the three he already has.

So now I am freaked out about several different things.

He is apparently on the prowl collecting animals: he pulled into several of my neighbors drives asking if they had any chickens for sale. He got lucky: one lay sold him two roosters. He also said he was at some animal auction yesterday too.

ONE) I am afraid he will come back, or have someone else come for him, and steal my serama chickens or Pixie since he was SO interested in them.

TWO) if he owns a possible "puppy mill" I am worried about the state of the minis he owns, along ith all the other animals.

I don't know how to explain it... He is just very rude, obnoxious, and with this "animal hunt" he is on, I bet he does operate a mill...

I would have to make several calls, but I know I could find out where he lives. He said he will have a colt for sale this year (one mini is expecting). He also said that one mini is a year and a half old and his stallion is mounting her! That's way too young!

I really hate causing trouble for people. But I really hate it when people mistreat animals. I just feel this nagging urge to tell him I want to see his mares he has for sale, and while I am, to check his premises.

HOPEFULLY everything would be okay. It would make me feel much better knowing his animals are under good care, and perhaps they are.

***What would you guys do? Would you look into this further, or let it go?***

 

[disneyhorse]

How did he have your address?

I usually carefully screen buyers, chat on the phone or email to see what their experience is and what they are looking for in an animal long before they get access. That way I can get a good feel and the buyer can also learn about me as a seller.

There is a lock on the gate to the barn also, so I have to be there to meet people.

 

[Earthology]

He had my address becuse I gave it to him. I didn't know it was the same person. He was going to mapquest my address for when we were to "meet up" later in the day. He had read about my chickens for sale online.

 

[Earthology]

He had my address becuse I gave it to him. I didn't know it was the same person. He was going to mapquest my address for when we were to "meet up" later in the day. He had read about my chickens for sale online. Also, I wasn't trying to sell him my horse. And he talked about himself and stated that he did have chickens.... coop... etc. I didn't feel weird about his ability to take care of chickens based off of thie things he did say.

That said, talking to someone proves nothing. They can lie all they want about how they take care of their animals. It is a phone call and proves nothing. Even a smooth talker can seem legit, when they really aren't. As a social worker, I respect that.

Now, actually going to a prospective buyers house to check things out proves more. You can see "first hand." Not many people do that though, and sometimes it isn't even possible.

Fact is, once he showed up and I saw who he was it was THEN that I got concerned.

My question was, and still is: should I look into the current state of his horses to make sure they are not being abused?

 

[Carolyn R]

Sadly there are MANY squirrely people in this world. You are right in the fact that people can say and do whatever they choose, walk the walk, talk the talk, present themselves in a glowing ambiance and still be the sludge at the bottom of the barrel when it comes down to the wire. Sadly if he has a somewhat safe environment, food and water available and are not in imminent danger nothing more can be done. Even if the animals are on the leaner side, they technically have the basic necessities. I would just be cautious of what you have and who is coming onto your property, beyond that there is little else in your control. Even if an animal is placed in what seems to be a good home there is no certainty of what the conditions will be at that very same home in a week, a month a year.....We can do our best and try our hardest and still end up dissillusioned by what humanity is capable of. I am not being unrealistic, sometimes a horse doesn't click with an owner, sometimes they don't fit a breeding program, at the very least I expect someone to care for their animals to the very best they are capable of while they are in their care. At least this man seems to wear his "colors" on his sleeve, the really dangerous ones are those that present themselves with grace and poise while they pee down your back and tell you its raining. Sorry for the foul euphemism.

 

[Earthology]

"We can do our best and try our hardest and still end up dissillusioned by what humanity is capable of. " PERFECTLY SAID!

 

[mini horse mania]

To me he sounds like a livestock dealer...which is perfectly legal,,yes he is obnoxious and very rude,but he may care for his animals . he probably buys and sells for a living. if he runs a puppy mill,shame on him.That is hearsay,and may or may not be true...i would get proof before giving a hard time...i have gotten out of rescuing neglected horses,due to accusations of not caring for them.when the people who called "heard I had a starved horse"..or rode by and saw it.i would have proof,not just that he is a horses patoot.

 

[HGFarm]

I also make SURE that the person is someone I would want at my house before giving out my address..... I speak to them more than once, or email more than once and yes, I kind of also give folks the 3rd degree as I want to know where my animals are going, etc.... before I go any further.

Sounds like the guy is a wheeler dealer to me- and yep, I would be locking the front gate while gone, hanging a 'no trespassing' sign and obviously this guy didnt care that you were not home or that you were busy before he came over and just showed up on your place. With that alone, after I had already said NO, I would have escorted him off the place the moment I got home and saw him there- end of discussion. Some folks are just rude and think life revolves around them I guess.

 

[Minimor]

When you got home...where was he? Wandering around the property, waiting in the barn, sitting on your front step, or sitting in his car? I wouldn't appreciate him arriving early & unannounced/uninvited either, but at least he phoned when he got there....and if he was waiting in his car I would be less concerned than I would be if I arrived home to find him making himself at home in the barnyard.

 

[mini horse mania]

I cant stand someone at my house unnanounced wandering....i reluctantly sell off the farm.he is a very rude person to do that.i would also lock gates,maybe ask the neighbors to watch out for his vehicle while you are away...some people are just like that ,,they figure you need,the money and youll work on their schedule....i have had that happen to me,but I was out of town amd couldnt get back....he was mad he drove an hour to get chicks,and I was mad he came earlier than agreed upon....i wasnt missing anything,but he did say somethimg ugly on a forum about me...oh well,,,my house,my rules....i will give my address the night before,but not from the start...i just dont trust anyone nowadays

 

[rimmerpaints]

OH MY! I would have freaked out also. That was rude! People have lots of nerve and why in the world would you say im selling my minis butlet me buy yours.UMM NO! Some people never surprise me.